Traffic Signal Held Hostage by Politics, Larvicide Top Village Board Agenda

It’s a light and lively agenda when the Oak Lawn Village Board takes the dais tonight at 7:30 p.m.

With the upcoming election, we’re sure that all the politics will be left at the door as board members hunker down and work together in a calm and cooperative manner for the betterment of Oak Lawn.

Read the light and lively village board agenda.

Here’s what we’ll be watching:

Southwest Highway/Central Traffic Signalization: Is the left turn lane/signalization project at Southwest Highway and Central Avenue being held hostage until after the April 9th election? Trustee Alex Olejniczak (Dist. 2) noted that after reading the last public works committee minutes from Dec. 12 that Cook County supposedly no longer ranks the project as a priority. Stating that Oak Lawn trustees unanimously approved the $1.2 million project which the village will split 50/50 with the county, Olejniczak told the board that Cook County Commissioner John Daley has been very supportive. “The mayor, myself and village manager were at a meeting with Commissioner Daley and engineers in Cook County making sure they did support his project.”

Trustee Bob Streit (Dist. 3) and chair of the public works committee, said he had asked the county engineers to produce prior studies and a cost breakdown from village staff. “I have yet to receive either.” The village has so far spent $200,000 on traffic studies on the intersection. Village board members will discuss the project again tonight. We're sure residents can put up with cars in their yards until then. What's a few more months?

Infrastructure Allocations: Village board members will be voting on street, sewer and maybe even alley repair projects schedule for spring/summer 2013.

Request to purchase Larvicide: The village is poised to approve the purchase of 36 cases of larvicide to reduce mosquito breeding for the 2013 summer season in the amount of $23,997.60.

Penny’s Place: After tabling a motion for a liquor license, Oak Lawn trustees are set to vote tonight on a Class F or “beer and wine” liquor license for a video gaming café and bistro at the Oak Lawn Promenade shopping center on the corner of Ridgeland Avenue and 95th Street. The Blackhawk Restaurant Group LLC has been aggressively pitching its pocket casino concept throughout the Chicago region.

What not on the agenda?

The infamous 13th alley betwen 53rd Court and 54th Avenue, and 93rd and 94th Streets. The alley runs through Olejniczak’s district, who is up for reelection.

Village Board Flashback:

Trustee Bob Streit (Dist. 3), upon taking his oath of office May 12, 2011: "I am proud that this board has not raised the tax levy in six years although some people did suggest doing that without regard to the fact that the people of Oak Lawn shoulder that burden."

The Oak Lawn Village Board meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at Village Hall, 9466 S. Raymond Ave. The meetings are free and open to the public.